Reports in Italy suggest the Nerazzurri - also linked with Sampdoria forward Mauro Icardi - are keen on Parma's Algerian-born striker, who scored eight goals in Serie A last season.

Former Roma and Real Madrid striker Cassano faces an uncertain future after failing to make a significant impact since leaving AC Milan in August, and Inter's Argentinian defender Matias Silvestre has already been mooted as another possible makeweight.

Nerazzurri chief Moratti will back new head coach Walter Mazzarri to "strengthen the team" and the ex-Napoli boss must rebuild after predecessor Andrea Stramaccioni booked a dismal ninth-placed finish.

Moratti told inter.it: "I'm in charge of Inter and I try to do what's best for the club, it's about being responsible. Belfodil is not a bad name, in fact he's a big name.

"Football is all about opportunities and it's up to the president to work out if they can be taken advantage of.

"In any case we'll try to do whatever is needed to make sure the team is ready to face the new season.

"I don't know if we're good enough to win the league but we'll certainly strengthen the team. Belfodil and Icardi are both great players already.

"We'll see whether Cassano leaves. For Silvestre it would be a way for him to get regular games, but the deal is yet to be finalised."

Readers' Comments

I

t's wrong to be making a joke out of Bender's name at the expense of gay people. It's the kind of childish, uncivilised thing that Football365 would deride and ridicule if it was another media outlet saying. Why is there a need for jokes like this? Does it make your writers feel like men? F365 might suggest that I 'lighten up', but it is genuinely traumatic for people who have been oppressed all their lives to be the butt of jokes, and to be told...

ou can't blame De Gea for wanting to leave, he has enough to do in front of goal as it is as well as taking on the role of Man Utd's version of Derek Acorah in trying to contact and organise a defence that isn't there.